>>The real challenge to 508-compliant multimedia is going to be
>>incorporating audio descriptions in live broadcasts. I'd love to
>>see an example of that, if it's out there.
>
>Now, I suppose that I can see occasions where this *could* be a
>challenge. However, it seems to me that most live broadcasts can be
>adequately audio-described by the presenters themselves.
No, *no*, *NO*. Commentary and audio description are manifestly not
the same or interchangeable and the former cannot stand in for the
latter.
<http://www.joeclark.org/livead.html>
>For example, a presenter should always verbalize the contents of a
>chart or graph to which he/she is pointing.
Like we've ever, even once in our lives, witnessed a television
presenter read out *and interpret for blind viewers* the full and
complete contents of a chart or graph.
>So, in short, perhaps this is more of a challenge to educate trainers about
>why best practice is important for everyone, rather than an issue of
>technological barriers and challenges.
That remark sounds like one of those superficial magazine articles
discussing "universal" design, which invariably focuses on one or two
products out of the tens of thousands available in a typical mall. So
much for universality.
Commentators will never provide what is actually needed for audio
description, and this is one of those cases where the bromide that
"universal" design *is great for everyone!* does not apply.
We have *actual experience* of live audio description and it behooves
critics who think A.D. is an unnecessary frill to learn a bit before
going off half-cocked.
--
Joe Clark | joeclark@joeclark.org
Author, _Building Accessible Websites_
(New Riders Publishing, October 2001)
Bookpage: <http://joeclark.org/book/>
Bookblog: <http://joeclark.org/bookblog/>